Library

The Rossini Foundation possesses a historical archive left to the foundation in the acts of the composer’s testament and made up largely of autographed manuscripts of many of the Maestro’s works. To this have been added over time the volumes donated by Maestro Vittorio Gui, totalling 4000 pieces between musical scores and sheet music related to the musician from Pesaro as well as the Lord St. Davids collection of about 1000 pieces.

This includes signed letters and musical manuscripts, precious print editions of the musician’s works as scores but also reduced for canto and piano. This collection is of extraordinary interest because it records direct testimony of the publishing success of Rossini and the executive practices of the era. As well, the Rossini Foundation has purchased microfilm copies of numerous musical manuscripts, librettos and other literary documents fundamental to the philological work behind critical publishing.

At the same time the Foundation has carried out in-depth research in public and private archives and libraries to collect an enormous mass of letters and documents on Rossini to be published in the Epistolario Rossiniano. One section is dedicated to specialised research on Gioachino Rossini and the history of music and literature.

These collections are completed by numerous documents, microfilms and photocopies on the works and life of Gioachino Rossini.